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ps18.10
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1993-04-19
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EXPOSITION.
There is inimitable grandeur in this verse. Under the
Mosaic system the cherubim are frequently represented as the
chariot of God; hence Milton, in "Paradise Lost," writes of the
Great Father,--
"He on the wings of cherubim
Uplifted, in paternal glory rode
Far into chaos."
Without speculating upon the mysterious and much-disputed subject
of the cherubim, it may be enough to remark that angels are
doubtless our guards and ministering friends, and all their
powers are enlisted to expedite the rescue of the afflicted. "_He
rode upon a cherub, and did fly_." Nature also yields all her
agents to be our helpers, and even the powers of the air are
subservient: "_yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind_." The
Lord comes flying when mercy is his errand, but he lingers long
when sinners are being wooed to repent. The flight here pictured
is as majestic as it is swift; "flying all abroad" is Sternhold's
word, and he is not far from correct. As the eagle soars in easy
grandeur with wings outspread, without violent napping and
exertion, so comes the Lord with majesty of omnipotence to aid
his own.
EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS.
Verse 10.--"_Cherub_." The Hebrew name hath affinity with
_Rechub_, a chariot, used in #Ps 104:3|, almost in like sense as
"_cherub_" is here; and the _cherubims_ are called a chariot,
#1Ch 28:18|; and God's angels are his chariots, #Ps 68:18|, and
they seem to be meant in this place; for as the angels are said
to fly, #Da 9:21|; so the _cherubims_ had wings, #Ex 25:20|, and
are by the apostle called "cherubims of glory," #Heb 9:5|. In #Ps
80:2|, God is said "to sit on the cherubims," as here, to ride;
and "_a cherub_" may be put for many, or all the _cherubims_, as
chariot for chariots, #Ps 68:18|.--^Henry Ainsworth.
Verse 10.--"_Cherubs_." The "_cherub_" with the
countenances of man, the lion, the bull, and the eagle (combining
in itself, as it were, the intelligence, majesty, strength, and
life of nature), was a symbol of the powers of nature. When
powerful elements, as in a storm, are serving God, he is said to
"_ride on a cherub_."--^Augustus F. Tholuck.
Verse 10.--"_Cherub_."--
"_He on the wings of _cherub_ rode sublime
On the crystalline sky."
^John Milton.
Verse 10.--When God comes to punish his foes and rescue
his people, nothing has ever surprised his friends or foes more
than the admirable swiftness with which he moves and acts: _He
flies "upon the wings of the wind."_--^William S. Plumer.
Verse 10.--Every circumstance that can add to the
splendour of Jehovah's descent upon his enemies is thrown into
the narrative by the inspired poet. It is not enough that the
heavens should bend beneath him, and that clouds of darkness
should be seen rolling, in terrible majesty, under his feet;
cherubic legions also are the willing supporters of his throne,
and, swift as air, he flies "_upon the wings of the wind_." Into
this amazing scene the awful appendages of the mercy-seat are
introduced; on the bending heavens, the cloudy chariot rides
sublime, and the winds of heaven bear it majestically along.--^J.
Morison.
HINTS TO PREACHERS.
Verse 10.--Celestial and terrestrial agencies subservient
to the divine purposes.